Play structure and play structure assembly methods

ABSTRACT

Embodiments relate generally to play structures and assembly methods for play structures. A play structure may comprise at least one floor panel comprising at least one hole into a side surface of the floor panel; at least one side wall panel configured to attach to the at least one floor panel and comprising at least one hole through the thickness of the side wall panel; and at least one bracket configured to at least temporarily attach the floor panel to the side wall panel, wherein the at least one bracket comprises: a first section configured to be inserted into and held in place within the hole of the floor panel; and a second section attached to the first section configured to protrude from the floor panel and to be inserted into and held in place within the hole of the side wall panel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a filing under 35 U.S.C. 371 of InternationalApplication No. PCT/US2019/012431 filed on Jan. 4, 2019, entitled “PlayStructure and Play Structure Assembly Methods,” which claims priority toU.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/613,739 filed Jan. 4,2018 by Daniel Lipschitz, et al. and entitled “Dollhouse, dollhouse kit,and dollhouse assembly methods” which is incorporated herein byreference as if reproduced in its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND

Typical children's play structures (including play houses, play tables,and/or play stations) may be sold to consumers at least partiallydisassembled and contained within a box or packaging. The playstructures may then be assembled by the user, using the parts andinstructions associated with the play structure.

SUMMARY

The described designs provide for easily assembled dollhouses and othertoy structures designed to be provided in a packaged or kit form toconsumers that provide for easy assembly techniques.

In an embodiment, a play structure may comprise at least one floor panelcomprising at least one pre-drilled hole into a side surface of thefloor panel; at least one side wall panel configured to attach to the atleast one floor panel and comprising at least one pre-drilled holethrough the thickness of the side wall panel; and at least one bracketconfigured to at least temporarily attach the floor panel to the sidewall panel, wherein the at least one bracket comprises: a first sectionconfigured to be inserted into and held in place within the pre-drilledhole of the floor panel; and a second section attached to the firstsection configured to protrude from the floor panel and to be insertedinto and held in place within the pre-drilled hole of the side wallpanel.

In an embodiment, a method of assembling a play structure may comprisepre-drilling at least one hole in a side surface of a floor panel;pre-drilling at least one corresponding hole through the thickness of aside panel; attaching a first section of a bracket to the pre-drilledhole of the floor panel; positioning the side panel perpendicular to thefloor panel; and attaching a second section of the bracket to thepre-drilled hole of the side panel, thereby at least temporarilysecuring the side panel to the floor panel.

In an embodiment, a play structure may comprise at least one floor panelcomprising at least one cut-out into a surface of the floor panel; atleast one back-wall panel configured to attach to the at least one floorpanel; and at least one back-wall bracket configured to at leasttemporarily attach the floor panel to the back-wall panel, wherein theat least one back-wall bracket comprises: at least one connectorconfigured to be inserted into the at least one cut-out of the floorpanel; a front portion that is rounded to allow the back-wall panel tobe pushed over the front portion; and a back portion that is spaced fromthe front portion to create a seat for the back-wall panel to be heldbetween the front portion and the back portion.

In an embodiment, a method of assembling a play structure may compriseforming at least one cut-out into a surface of a floor panel; attachingat least one connector of at least one back-wall bracket into the atleast one cut-out of the floor panel; positioning a back-wall panelperpendicular to the floor panel; pressing the back-wall panel againstthe back-wall bracket; flexing the back-wall panel over a front portionof the back-wall bracket that is rounded; and retaining the back-wallpanel relative to the floor panel between the front portion of theback-wall bracket and a back portion of the back-wall bracket that isspaced from the front portion to create a seat for the back-wall panelto be held between the front portion and the back portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, referenceis now made to the following brief description, taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings and detailed description, wherein likereference numerals represent like parts.

FIG. 1 illustrates a play structure according to an embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a floor panel according to an embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a corner section of a floor panel assembly accordingto an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates another view of a floor panel assembly according toan embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a floor panel and back panel assembly according to anembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the floor panel and backpanel assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates a floor panel and side panel assembly according to anembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates a partial assembly view of an assembled playstructure according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates another view of a floor panel assembly according toan embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 10 illustrates another view of a floor panel and side panelassembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 11 illustrates an assembled play structure according to anembodiment of the disclosure.

FIGS. 12A-12E illustrate a side wall bracket according to an embodimentof the disclosure.

FIGS. 13A-13E illustrate another side wall bracket according to anembodiment of the disclosure.

FIGS. 14A-14E illustrate a back-wall bracket according to an embodimentof the disclosure.

FIG. 15 illustrates another back-wall bracket according to an embodimentof the disclosure.

FIG. 16 illustrates another side wall bracket according to an embodimentof the disclosure.

FIG. 17 illustrates a corner section of a floor panel and side panelassembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIGS. 18A-18C illustrate another side wall bracket according to anembodiment of the disclosure.

FIGS. 19A-19C illustrate another side wall bracket according to anembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 20 illustrates a floor panel assembly according to an embodiment ofthe disclosure.

FIGS. 21A-21B illustrate another back-wall bracket according to anembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 22 illustrates the back-wall bracket install onto a floor panelaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIGS. 23A-23B illustrate cross-sectional views of the back-wall bracketinstall onto a floor panel according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIGS. 24A-24B illustrate a molded floor panel according to an embodimentof the disclosure.

FIG. 25 illustrates another side wall bracket installed onto a floorpanel according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 26 illustrates another side wall bracket installed onto a floorpanel according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIGS. 27A-27B illustrate detailed views of the side wall bracket of FIG.26 according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It should be understood at the outset that although illustrativeimplementations of one or more embodiments are illustrated below, thedisclosed systems and methods may be implemented using any number oftechniques, whether currently known or not yet in existence. Thedisclosure should in no way be limited to the illustrativeimplementations, drawings, and techniques illustrated below, but may bemodified within the scope of the appended claims along with their fullscope of equivalents.

The following brief definition of terms shall apply throughout theapplication:

The term “comprising” means including but not limited to, and should beinterpreted in the manner it is typically used in the patent context;

The phrases “in one embodiment,” “according to one embodiment,” and thelike generally mean that the particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic following the phrase may be included in at least oneembodiment of the present invention, and may be included in more thanone embodiment of the present invention (importantly, such phrases donot necessarily refer to the same embodiment);

If the specification describes something as “exemplary” or an “example,”it should be understood that refers to a non-exclusive example;

The terms “about” or “approximately” or the like, when used with anumber, may mean that specific number, or alternatively, a range inproximity to the specific number, as understood by persons of skill inthe art field (for example, ±10%); and

If the specification states a component or feature “may,” “can,”“could,” “should,” “would,” “preferably,” “possibly,” “typically,”“optionally,” “for example,” “often,” or “might” (or other suchlanguage) be included or have a characteristic, that particularcomponent or feature is not required to be included or to have thecharacteristic. Such component or feature may be optionally included insome embodiments, or it may be excluded.

In the field of dollhouses and other toy or play structures, there haveoften been kits sold in which the end consumer, or the consumer parent,will assemble the final dollhouse or structure when received from themerchant. A difficulty with such structures is they can be large andhave multiple pieces, and therefore they can be hard to assemble, whichleads to a substantial amount of time for assembly, based upon themultiple pieces needing to be held in place and attached to one another.There have been many approaches in which these have been tried, the mostcommon one would be simply to use fasteners such as screws or nailsalong with known wood routing and cutting techniques to make the piecesengage with each other. Problems with these types of approaches includethat two or three or four pieces must be held simultaneously while theyare fastened to one another. One approach for dealing with this would beto have press fit engagement between different pieces, but factors suchas part size variation and/or changes in humidity causing wooden and/ormedium density fiberboard (MDF) pieces to change in size makes such anapproach difficult. Further, approaches that use complex structures inthe final pieces can cause difficulty and expense in the manufacturingof those pieces in that expensive router cutting is necessary, asopposed to straight cut approaches (e.g., table saw or other straightcut saw approaches) which are less expensive compared to more complexrouting that requires a substantial amount of additional labor costs.

Embodiments of the disclosure relate to brackets that may be used totemporarily affix panels of a play structure to one another, so that thepanels may be positioned correctly for a user to permanently affix thepanels to one another. Although the term “bracket” may be usedthroughout, a bracket could also be referred to as a connector, aphysical communication apparatus, a brace, or another similar term,where the bracket may be described by its function to at leasttemporarily affix two panels. The brackets may be configured to affixtwo perpendicular panels to one another by fitting within holes and/orcut-outs formed within the panels. The brackets may comprise side wallbrackets configured to affix a side wall to a floor panel, and/orback-wall brackets configured to affix a back wall to a floor panel.

FIG. 1 illustrates one example of a dollhouse (or play structure). Theplay structure 100 may includes various components, such as a bottomfloor, middle floor(s), top floor, and side panel(s). In the embodimentof FIG. 1, the play structure 100 includes a bottom floor formed by abottom panel 102, two middle floors, middle panel 104, a top floor, toppanel 106, and at least two side panels 108. Also illustrated is a backpanel 110, which in a prior design might have been clipped between thebottom panel 102 and the middle floor immediately above the middle panel104. Products like the play structure 100 are typically shipped boxed(e.g., with each floor and side panel separate, for example to allowstacking within a box) and ready to be assembled by an end-consumer. Thedifficulty with assembling these pieces together, as can be readilyappreciated, is if a person without any special tools were to try toassemble side panels 108 with the bottom panel 102 and the middle panel104, that alone would be four separate pieces to be held, potentially ata single given time, each piece being long and unwieldy and can be proneto escaping the consumer's grasp during assembly. Described in thepresent application are a series of fasteners and panel designs thatallow for easy assembly, including the intermediate assembly of pieceparts before final fastening of the assembly. The use of intermediatestructures for holding pieces together in the present disclosureaddresses some of the difficulties in part size variation and/orvariations with changing temperatures or humidity.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the bottom panel 102, which may beformed without complex exterior computer-controlled routing. Forexample, the bottom panel 102 may require just simple routedsemicircular cut-outs 206 in three places on its back surface (where insome embodiments, the bottom panel 102 may comprise more than threesemicircular cut-outs 206 or less than three semicircular cut-outs 206).

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a corner section of a floor panelassembly 200, showing a bracket 202 inserted into a hole 203 on the endof each of a side rail 204. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the side rail204 comprises a slot 207 extending along the length of the side rail204, into which the bottom panel 102 may be inserted, allowing the siderail 204 to frame and support the edge of the bottom panel 102. WhileFIG. 3 shows a possible factory assembly of this floor panel assembly200, it should be noted that this assembly could be completed at anylocation including a retail outlet or at the consumer's home. In FIG. 3,the bracket 202 is inserted into the hole 203. This insertion is meantto be relatively secure, although not necessarily as rigidly secure asone would want for a final assembled product. The bracket 202 mayinclude one or more protrusions 210 extending circumferentially around aportion of the bracket 202, for example, threads, ridges, or ribs, whichcan be of the bracket 202 can be crushed to cause a friction fit intothe hole 203, and thus ideally the diameter of the protrusions 210 areslightly greater than the diameter of the hole 203. Glue or otheradhesives can also be used for this connection. In some embodiments, thebracket 202 and/or protrusions 210 may be designed with a porous plasticmaterial that is adapted to be usable with general-purpose wood glue oranother adhesive. The details, features, and advantages of the bracket202 are further illustrated in other figures of this application.

Shown in FIG. 4 is another view of the floor panel assembly 200. Thisview is slightly expanded with respect to FIG. 3 and it includes oneentire end of the floor panel assembly 200, comprising the bottom panel102 located between two side rails 204. In the embodiment of FIG. 4,brackets 202 have now been disposed within the holes 203 in each of thetwo side sides, as similarly disclosed with respect to FIG. 3. In someembodiments, this complete assembly is performed at the factory beforebeing shipped to stores for consumer purchase. Also shown in this figureis a back-wall bracket 302 that has been placed into one of thesemicircular cut-outs 206 of the bottom panel 102 prior to the bottompanel 102 being inserted into the respective side rail 204 (via the slot207 shown in FIG. 3) to complete the assembly. In some embodiments,other portions of the floor panel assembly 200 may be similarconfigured, for example, having these same components, depending on theparticular end application, for example, upon the design of thedollhouse or other play structure. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, thebracket 202 and back-wall bracket 302 may be injection-molded withmaterials chosen according to the design purposes for their use. Theoverall purpose of this assembly is to allow the customer to quicklyassemble the frame of a dollhouse or other play structure and thencomplete the construction with more permanent fasteners, such as screws.Essentially, this provides a very simple process which can broadly beseen as snapping all the pieces of a dollhouse or other play structuretogether and then completing that construction with permanent fasteners,such as screws. In some embodiments, the style of fasteners areconsistent throughout the assembly, so the customer achieves increasedfamiliarity with the process, leading to further ease and speed ofassembly. As an example, as shown in FIG. 4, the floor panel assembly200 may comprise various dimensions, for example, where the side rail204 is a 20 mm square piece of any suitable length and the bottom panel102 has a 3 mm thickness.

The floor panel assembly 200 of FIG. 4 is illustrated in a configurationthat, in some embodiments, is ready to be shipped to a distributor,retailer, or customer (e.g., in a box with other unassembled floorpanels, side panels, and/or back panels). Although FIG. 4 illustrates afloor panel assembly, a similar concept and configuration could beapplied to any other panels and/or assemblies according to the describedprinciples. In the described embodiments, all of these elements of thefloor panel assembly 200 have been pre-assembled by a supplier ormanufacturer and are ready for assembly of a final dollhouse or otherplay structure 100 by a consumer. The elements are described in thisfigure as being glued together, although it is to be appreciated that itcan be attached by other means or even permanently attached at thisstage. An advantage of the present design, however, is that the finalassembly can be used to further buttress an intermediate assembly thatis done using glue or other less permanent engaging mechanisms by amanufacturer or supplier.

The views shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 provide further detail of the placementof the back-wall brackets 302 with respect to the floor panel assembly200 or another panel assembly, such as a middle floor assembly 402. Itshould be appreciated that any dimensions included in the figures ofthis application are merely for illustration purposes and the designprinciples described herein can be used in any number of applications.Shown in FIG. 5 is a back-wall assembly for a middle panel 104, as anexample, having 3 mm thick back walls that are held in pace against therespective side rail 204 by the back-wall bracket 302. In thisembodiment, the back panel 110 are pressed into place by the back-wallbracket 302, which holds them securely against the side rail 204.

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-section of the back-wall bracket 302 andshows the slot 207 in the side rail 204. FIG. 6 also illustrates thatthe back-wall bracket 302 comprises a lip 404 that extends into the slotof the side rail 204. As was described for FIG. 4, the back-wall bracket302 may be an injection-molded plastic component that can bepreassembled with respect to the floor panel assembly 200 prior toshipping to the retailer and/or directly to the consumer. In someembodiments, the back-wall bracket 302 may be made from a clear material(e.g., a substantially clear plastic) in order to reduce its visibility.

Illustrated in FIG. 7 is a partial view of a dollhouse or otherstructure following one of these floor or ceiling or middle panelshaving been inserted into a side panel 108. In the embodiment of FIG. 7,the dollhouse or other structure is shown with the bottom panel 102, themiddle panel 104, and/or the top panel 106 affixed to the side panel 108via the brackets 202, but with no permanent fastener having yet beenapplied. In other words, the structure is in an intermediate state,where the elements are held with respect to one another prior topermanent attachment. Particularly, in the embodiment of FIG. 7, thebracket 202 retains the side panel 108 in place relative to anotherpanel, such as the bottom panel 102. It is to be appreciated that anysuitable wall thickness appropriate for the design could be used in asimilar fashion.

FIG. 8 provides view of a partially-assembled dollhouse or other playstructure 800. For example, the structure shown here may be top andbottom floors engaged with two side panels 108 and a back panel 110. Thebrackets 202 are illustrated to the left of the figure. The back-wallbrackets 302 can be seen at the bottom back edge of the structurealthough they would be at the top back edge of the structure as well. Itshould be appreciated that this play structure 800 is provided toillustrate the construction of these elements, but that in embodimentsthey would be employed in a more complex design such as illustrated inthe play structure 100 illustrated in FIG. 1. As mentioned previously,each of the bottom panel 102, middle panel 104, and/or top panel 106,with their corresponding brackets 202 and/or 302 may have beenpreassembled at a manufacturer or supplier before shipping (e.g., withside brackets and/or back brackets pre-inserted into the rods by themanufacturer prior to shipment and/or assembly by the end user).Further, the back-wall brackets 302 may have similarly been assembledand affixed into the bottom panel 102, middle panel 104, and/or toppanel 106. Further, holes would've been previously drilled into the sidepanels 108 and these holes would have been spaced to engage with thecorresponding bracket 202 of the various floors according to the designof the overall dollhouse or other play structure 100. The brackets 202are designed to flex inwardly so they can slide through the holes in theside panels 108 and pop back out again once through holding the panelsin place with the lips (for example, as described in FIGS. 12, 13, and14) of the brackets 202. This design holds the assembled components inplace (e.g., acting as extra sets of hands to hold and sign theelements) until the customer or consumer can permanently connect thestructures (e.g. through wood screws that extend through the bracket andinto the wood).

Illustrated in FIG. 9 is a partial assembly view of an example in whichtwo brackets 602 have been placed. The brackets 602 shown in FIG. 9 maynot include screw holes. This design takes advantage of the fact thatultimately top and bottom floors would be permanently attached, and thismiddle floor would have then been captured within the perimeter of theoverall side wall/top wall/side wall/bottom wall structure. This allowsreduced hardware in the final assembly and may speed/ease final assemblyby not requiring a screw or other additional permanent mount for themiddle panels 104. Optionally, a bracket 602 may be used without afinishing screw for middle floor panels, where such middle panels areotherwise kept in place within an overall design in which a top floorroof panel and a bottom floor panel captures the overall perimeter of anassembled dollhouse or other play structure.

Illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a multiple-level structureillustrating this final assembly with a middle panel 104 captured withinthe overall perimeter of the dollhouse structure.

FIGS. 12A-12E illustrate the bracket 202 that has been describedgenerally throughout this application. Various figures are intended toshow the overall structure of this bracket 202 as well as how it isdesigned to accept a screw or similar fastener in order to affect finalassembly of the play structure 100 or other play structure. As shown inFIGS. 12A-12E, the bracket 202 includes a lip 1101 used to hold a sidepanel in place once the bracket has been pushed through a hole in theside panel 108. The bracket 202 includes a top portion 1110 (e.g., afirst portion) that is designed to compress as the bracket is pressedthrough a hole in a side panel. The bracket 202 includes a cut-out 1102through the top that allows the top portion to be compressed as it isinserted into a hole or opening in the side panel as the side panel ispressed onto the bracket 202. Although the compression mechanism shownin this figure is of a cut-out 1102 cut through the top portion 1110,there are multiple ways to accomplish the same effect. FIG. 12Dillustrates the diameters of the sections of the top portion 1110 thatare not perfectly circular, but instead have sections cut from eitherside of the diameter, which may further enable the compression of thetop portion 1110 when pressed through the holes in the side panels. Thetop portion shown in the figure can be adjusted according to varyingwall thicknesses. The gap between the two sides of the top portionallows for space for the sides to bend while being inserted into theside panel.

The lip 1101 may be configured to expand (e.g., back to its originalshape) once pressed through the side panel. This keeps the bottom panel102 and side panel 108 secured to one another. The top portion 1110 hasa larger diameter than a bottom portion 1112 (e.g., a second portion)such that it will seat directly at the top of the holes in the siderails 204 to ensure correct depth of assembly of the wood rail of thefloors and to the side panels. A cavity 1104 is provided that is coaxialthrough both of the top portion 1110 and bottom portion 1112, althoughnot necessarily at the same diameter, to provide for passage of thescrew through the bracket 202 and into the wood of the side rails 204,wherein a finishing screw may penetrate both the plastic of the bracket202 and the wood into which the bracket 202 is inserted upon finalassembly by the consumer. The side rails 204 might, for instance, havestarter holes cut in the correct alignment to the holes in the brackets202 so minimal screwing effort is required to effectively permanentlyaffix the pieces together by the customer. Downward bearing ridges 1108allow a tight fit to the wood of the side rails 204 and they furthercreate a surface for the glue to adhere to. In some embodiments, thebrackets 202 may be formed of a relatively porous material so that theglue can be absorbed to create a bond between the pieces withcarpenter's glue or the like.

FIGS. 13A-13E provides a similar set of views to those of FIGS. 12A-12E,but these views are provided relative to the bracket 602 that does notuse a screw inserted through the middle of them for permanent assembly.The design principles for this bracket, however, are otherwise similarto those described in FIGS. 12A-12E. As previously described, thisbracket 602 may be used preferably for interior floors of a dollhouse orplay structure where a bottom floor, side wall, top floor, and/or sidewall perimeter otherwise capture the perimeter of the overall structureusing permanent fasteners such as screws. The bracket 602 may compriseall of the same elements as the bracket 202 except the cavity 1104.

For both the brackets shown in FIGS. 12A-12E and FIGS. 13A-13E, thereare a unique combination of elements that provide for easy assembly ofthe dollhouse or other play structure 100 in the context of thinnerpieces of wood. This improved structure may allow for a two-stageassembly process (e.g., the first stage using the brackets to secure thepanels and other elements together, so that final permanent assembly inthe second stage is quicker and easier due to prior alignment andholding of the elements), avoiding or minimizing the use of permanentfasteners during initial (e.g., first stage) assembly (or at all for themiddle floors) while still allowing for final (e.g., second stage)assembly with more permanent fasteners. The design provides for aconsistency of fastening across the entire assembly, consistentdimensional positioning of the various pieces even when assembled by theend customer and/or by a single customer. The design further allows forstructure and materials used to provide for flexible yet secureassembly, and the other design features described herein.

FIGS. 14A-14E illustrate the back-wall bracket 302. This image of theback-wall bracket 302 more clearly shows the lip 404 of the back-wallbracket 302 and a groove 604 of the back-wall bracket 302. The groove604 may be sized to fit around the semicircular cuts in the floor paneland may be sized to provide a friction fit with the floor panel. Thegroove 604 of the back-wall bracket 302 is designed to engage with therespective top, bottom, or middle floor panel that it is engaged with.Thus, the groove 604 would generally have the same width as therespective panel it is engaged with. The lip 404 may be sized to providespacing between the side rail and the front portion of the back-wallbracket to fit the back-wall panel.

FIGS. 14A-14E provides several views and perspectives of the back-wallbracket 302, illustrating the operation this bracket with respect tousage in the context of the disclosed designs. Specifically, aspreviously described, the bracket includes a lip 404 that engages intothe slot 207 of the side rails 204. It further includes a groove 604that engages to the bottom panel 102, middle panel 104, and/or top panel106. The back-wall bracket 302 has two other aspects that enablemounting of the back walls 110 as a part of the final product assemblyafter the side panels 108 and bottom panel 102, middle panel 104, and/ortop panel 106 have been engaged together. Specifically, the back-wallbrackets 302 are designed to receive the back panel 110 from the frontopenings of a partially-assembled play structure 100 or other playstructure. Accordingly, the front portion 1302 of the back-wall bracket302 includes curved or rounded faces 1305 on either side of the groove604 such that back walls are pushed in above or below the bottom panel102, middle panel 104, and/or top panel 106 being captured by the groove604 can be pushed over the rounded faces 1305 until it reaches the peak1309. At the point of the peak 1309, the back wall is pushed over intothe back portion 1304 of the back-wall bracket 302 and is naturallypushed into a seat 1311 by chamfer 1306. In other words, the backportion 1304 may include a chamfer 1306 directing and allowing the backwall to slide into place once it passes the peak 1309. In someembodiments, the seat 1311 may be raised with respect to the lip 404,where the seat 1311 may define how deep the lip 404 extends into theslot of the side rail (or back rail).

This unique structure allows the customer or consumer (or otherassembler) to simply push the back panel 110 to the back of the openareas between the floors and against the rounded faces 1305 until theback panel 110 are engaged and seat into the seat 1311. This structure,along with the flexure of the relatively thin MDF back panels 110 (e.g.,3 mm thick) makes possible a very efficient assembly of the playstructure 100, especially in connection with the other improved assemblytechniques and structures described herein.

FIG. 15 illustrates an alternative embodiment of back-wall bracket 1502similar to the back-wall bracket 302, that does not comprise the seat1311. The spacing for the back wall to fit within the back-wall bracket1502 may be created by the lip 404 and chamfer 1306.

Illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17 is an alternative embodiment of a bracket1402 (relative to the bracket 202 previously discussed), where thebracket 1402 comprises a top portion 1410 that has a friction fit (viaridges 1406) into a hole in the side panel 108 (for example, in lieu ofthe lip 1101 used in the bracket 202). Like the bracket 202, the bracket1402 includes a bottom portion 1412 comprising downward bearing ridges1108 configured to friction fit into the hole 203 of the side rail 204,and a coaxial screw hole 1404 that allows the screw 1420 to pass all theway through the top and down into the wood of the side rail 204. In thiscase, the screw 1420 would be longer than the bracket 1402, because itwill extend all the way from the top of the wood of the side panel 108into the wood of the side rail 204. The bracket 1402, however, still hasthe advantageous assembly concept previously described with respect tothe bracket 202 in that it holds the pieces (e.g., floor panel, siderail 204, and side panel 108) in place securely for the end customer orconsumer to perform final fastener insertion and assembly into thefinished product.

FIGS. 18A-18C illustrate another embodiment of a bracket 1802 that maybe similar to one or more of the brackets described above. The bracket1802 includes a top portion 1810 that may comprise ridges 1806 designedto compress as the bracket 1802 is pressed through a hole in a sidewall. The ridges 1806 may be configured to provide a friction fitbetween the bracket 1802 and a side wall, for example. Although thecompression mechanism shown in this figure is of a plurality of ridges1806 that extend axially from the top portion 1810, there are multipleways to accomplish the same effect. The bracket 1802 may comprise abottom portion 1812 configured to be inserted into a floor panel. Thesize (or diameter) or the bottom portion 1812 may be determined based onthe size of the floor panel with which the bracket 1802 will be used.For example, if the floor panel comprises a thickness of approximately 3mm, the diameter of the bottom portion 1812 may be less than 3 mm.Similarly, if the floor panel comprises a thickness of approximately 9mm, the diameter of the bottom portion 1812 may be less than 9 mm.

The top portion 1810 may have a larger diameter than the bottom portion1812 such that it will seat directly at the top of the holes in thefloor panel to ensure correct depth of assembly of the floor panel(s) tothe side panel(s). The size (or diameter) or the top portion 1810 may bedetermined based on the size of the floor panel with which the bracket1802 will be used, where it may be desired for the top portion 1810 tonot extend beyond the edges of the floor panel. For example, if thefloor panel comprises a thickness of approximately 3 mm, the diameter ofthe top portion 1810 may be equal to or less than 3 mm. Similarly, ifthe floor panel comprises a thickness of approximately 9 mm, thediameter of the top portion 1810 may be equal to or less than 9 mm.

In some embodiments, the bottom portion 1812 may comprise cutouts 1808configured to allow glue or other adhesive to flow between each side ofthe bottom portion 1812 and create a surface to which the glue mayadhere between the bottom portion 1812 and the interior surface of thehole in the floor panel. In some embodiments, a portion of the bracket1802 may be formed of a relatively porous material so that the glue canbe absorbed to create a bond between the pieces with carpenter's glue orthe like.

FIGS. 19A-19C illustrate another embodiment of a bracket 1902 that maybe similar to one or more of the brackets described above. The bracket1902 includes a top portion 1910 that may comprise ridges 1906 designedto compress as the bracket 1902 is pressed through a hole in a sidewall. The ridges 1906 may be configured to provide a friction fitbetween the bracket 1902 and a side wall, for example. Although thecompression mechanism shown in this figure is of a plurality of ridges1906 that extend radially from the top portion 1910, there are multipleways to accomplish the same effect. The bracket 1902 may comprise abottom portion 1912 configured to be inserted into a floor panel. Thesize (or diameter) or the bottom portion 1912 may be determined based onthe size of the floor panel with which the bracket 1902 will be used.For example, if the floor panel comprises a thickness of approximately 3mm, the diameter of the bottom portion 1912 may be less than 3 mm.Similarly, if the floor panel comprises a thickness of approximately 9mm, the diameter of the bottom portion 1912 may be less than 9 mm.

The top portion 1910 may have a larger diameter than the bottom portion1912 such that it will seat directly at the top of the holes in thefloor panel to ensure correct depth of assembly of the floor panel(s) tothe side panel(s). The size (or diameter) or the top portion 1910 may bedetermined based on the size of the floor panel with which the bracket1902 will be used, where it may be desired for the top portion 1910 tonot extend beyond the edges of the floor panel. For example, if thefloor panel comprises a thickness of approximately 3 mm, the diameter ofthe top portion 1910 may be equal to or less than 3 mm. Similarly, ifthe floor panel comprises a thickness of approximately 9 mm, thediameter of the top portion 1910 may be equal to or less than 9 mm.

In some embodiments, the bottom portion 1912 may comprise cutouts 1908configured to allow glue or other adhesive to flow between each side ofthe bottom portion 1912 and create a surface to which the glue mayadhere between the bottom portion 1912 and the interior surface of thehole in the floor panel. In some embodiments, a portion of the bracket1902 may be formed of a relatively porous material so that the glue canbe absorbed to create a bond between the pieces with carpenter's glue orthe like.

FIG. 20 illustrates a view of a bracket 1802 (such as the bracket 1802described in FIG. 18) installed within a floor panel 2002, wherein thebracket 1802 may be installed into a bracket hole 2003 proximate to areceiving screw-hole 2004 for a screw attachment. In the embodimentshown in FIG. 20, the floor panel 2002 may comprise a thickness ofapproximately 9 mm. The screw-hole 2004 may be configured to align witha screw hole disposed within a side panel (which may have beenpre-drilled or molded, for example, prior to provision to a consumer),while the bracket hole 2003 may be configured to align with a brackethole within the side panel. The bracket 1802 may fit within the brackethole of the side panel to hold the side panel in place against the floorpanel 2002 while a screw is drilled through the side panel into thescrew-hole 2004 of the floor panel 2002. The bottom portion 1812 of thebracket 1802 may be inserted into the floor panel 2002 while the topportion 1810 of the bracket 1802 may be inserted into the side panel. Insome embodiments, the bottom portion 1812 of the bracket 1802 may beheld within the bracket hole 2003 via adhesive or glue. In someembodiments, the bottom portion 1812 of the bracket 1802 may be inserteddirectly into the floor panel 2002 (for example, instead of into a railor side rail that is attached to the floor panel).

FIGS. 21A-21B illustrate another embodiment of a back-wall bracket 2102which may be configured to hold a back wall in place with respect to afloor panel and/or side wall or side panel. The back-wall bracket 2102may be configured to be used alone or may be configured to connect to asecond back-wall bracket 2102. The back-wall bracket 2102 may comprise afirst portion comprising a retaining wall 2104 configured to contact andsupport a back wall that is inserted into the back-wall bracket 2102.The back-wall bracket 2102 may also comprise a second portion having oneor more curved or rounded faces 2105 such that back walls are pushedinto the back-wall bracket 2102 can be pushed over the rounded faces2105 as well as a chamfered or tapered edge 2106 directing and allowingthe back wall to slide into place once it passes over the rounded face2105. The retaining wall 2104 may comprise a flat vertical surface thatis spaced from the taper edge 2106 at least the thickness of the backwall to be held by the back-wall bracket 2102, creating a seat where theback wall may eventually be held between the retaining wall 2104 and thetaper edge 2106. The retaining wall 2104 may comprise a support section2110 that may be tapered and comprises a larger thickness at the base ofthe support section 2110 than at the top, to provide support forretaining the back wall by the retaining wall 2104. In some embodiments,the back-wall bracket 2102 may comprise one or more connectors, forexample, a first connector 2120, a second connector 2122, and/or a thirdconnector 2124. The first connector 2120, second connector 2122, and/orthird connector 2124 may be configured to connect the back-wall bracket2102 to a floor panel and/or to another back-wall bracket.

This unique structure allows the customer or consumer (or otherassembler) to simply push the back walls to the back of the open areasbetween the floors and against the faces 2105 until the back walls areengaged and held between the retaining wall 2104 and the tapered edge2106. This structure, along with the flexure of the relatively thin MDFback walls (e.g., 3 mm thick) makes possible a very efficient assemblyof the overall structure, especially in connection with the otherimproved assembly techniques and structures described herein.

As shown in FIG. 22, the connectors, particularly, the first connector2120, the second connector 2122, and the third connector 2124, may beconfigured to attach the back-wall bracket 2102 to a floor panel 2002and/or to another back-wall bracket 2102. In some embodiments, the firstconnector 2120 may be shaped to fit around and attach to the secondconnector 2122 of a another back-wall bracket 2102. In some embodiments,the third connector 2124 may be configured to contact and/or attach to athird connector 2124 of a another back-wall bracket 2102.

FIGS. 23A-23B illustrate a cross-sectional view of the back-wallbrackets 2102 through one of the connector attachment points. FIG. 23Billustrates the back-wall brackets 2102 holding multiple back panels 110in place with respect to the floor panel 2002, where the floor panel maycomprise a middle floor. However, the back-wall bracket 2102 may be usedwith a top floor panel, a bottom floor panel, and/or a middle floorpanel. The two back-wall brackets 2102 may be positioned on either sideof a floor panel 2002, where, for example, one back-wall bracket 2102may hold the bottom edge of a first back panel 110, while the otherback-wall bracket 2102 may hold the top edge of a second back panel 110.

FIGS. 24A-24B illustrate another embodiment of a floor panel 2400, wherethe floor panel 2400 may comprise integrated elements that are moldedwith the floor panel as one piece. For example, the floor panel 2400 maycomprise a plurality of clips 2410 positioned around the perimeter ofthe floor panel 2400 that may be configured to hold a decorative floorcover in place (which may be of a different material than the floorpanel 2400). The floor panel 2400 may comprise a plurality of back-wallbrackets 2406 configured to hold a back wall in place with respect tothe floor panel 2400.

The floor panel 2400 may also comprise one or more dowels 2402 (whichmay be similar to the brackets described above) configured totemporarily secure a side panel to the floor panel 2400. The floor panel2400 may also comprise one or more screw-holes 2403 (which may have beenpre-drilled or molded, for example, prior to provision to a consumer)configured to receive a screw that may permanently attach a side panelto the floor panel 2400. In some embodiments, the floor panel 2400 maybe used with other similarly molded and integrated panels, or it may beused as one of many floor panels in a structure that comprise differentshapes and elements.

FIG. 25 illustrates another embodiment of a bracket 2502 configured tosecure a side panel to a floor panel 2002 temporarily to allow forpermanent attachment of the side panel to the floor panel, for example,with a screw. The bracket 2502 may be shaped to fit onto a bottomsurface of the floor panel 2002 via a first protruding portion 2512. Thebracket 2502 may comprise a second protruding portion 2510 configured tofit into a hole in a side panel (which may have been pre-drilled ormolded, for example, prior to provision to a consumer). The secondprotruding portion 2510 may comprise one or more ridges configured toprovide a friction fit with the hole of the side panel. In someembodiments, the bracket 2502 may align with a hole 2503 (which may havebeen pre-drilled or molded, for example, prior to provision to aconsumer) in the floor panel 2002, wherein a screw may be used topermanently attach the side panel to the floor panel 2002 via the hole2503. In some embodiments, the screw may pass through at least a portionof the bracket 2502, such as the first protruding portion 2512. When thebrackets 2502 is used, the side panel may comprise two aligned holes,with one configured to receive the second protruding portion 2510 andone configured to allow the screw to attach the side panel to the floorpanel 2002.

FIGS. 26, 27A, and 27B illustrate another embodiment of a bracket 2602configured to secure a side panel to a floor panel 2002 temporarily toallow for permanent attachment of the side panel to the floor panel, forexample, with a screw. The bracket 2602 may be shaped to fit onto abottom surface of the floor panel 2002 via a first protruding portion2612. The bracket 2602 may comprise a second protruding portion 2610connected to the first protruding portion 2612 via a body 2606 of thebracket 2602, where the first protruding portion 2612 is configured tofit into a hole in a side panel. The second protruding portion 2610 maycomprise one or more ridges configured to provide a friction fit withthe hole of the side panel. In some embodiments, the bracket 2602 mayalign with a hole 2603 (which may have been pre-drilled or molded, forexample, prior to provision to a consumer) in the floor panel 2002,wherein a screw may be used to permanently attach the side panel to thefloor panel 2002 via the hole 2603. In some embodiments, the screw maypass through at least a portion of the bracket 2602, such as a hole 2604through the second protruding portion 2610 and/or a hole 2605 throughthe first protruding portion 2612. When the brackets 2602 is used, theside panel may comprise one hole configured to receive the secondprotruding portion 2610 and configured to allow the screw to attach theside panel to the floor panel 2002.

Having described various devices and methods herein, exemplaryembodiments or aspects can include, but are not limited to:

In a first embodiment, a play structure may comprise at least one floorpanel comprising at least one pre-drilled hole into a side surface ofthe floor panel; at least one side wall panel configured to attach tothe at least one floor panel and comprising at least one pre-drilledhole through the thickness of the side wall panel; and at least onebracket configured to at least temporarily attach the floor panel to theside wall panel, wherein the at least one bracket comprises: a firstsection configured to be inserted into and held in place within thepre-drilled hole of the floor panel; and a second section attached tothe first section configured to protrude from the floor panel and to beinserted into and held in place within the pre-drilled hole of the sidewall panel.

A second embodiment can include the play structure of the firstembodiment, wherein the bracket further comprises at least one cavity toallow a screw to pass through the bracket to permanently attach the sidewall panel to the floor panel.

A third embodiment can include the play structure of the first or secondembodiments, wherein the pre-drilled hole of the floor panel is in aside rail of the floor panel.

A fourth embodiment can include the play structure of any of the firstthrough third embodiments, wherein the first section of the bracket isheld in place within the pre-drilled hole of the floor panel by frictionridges.

A fifth embodiment can include the play structure of any of the firstthrough fourth embodiments, wherein the first section of the bracket isheld in place within the pre-drilled hole of the floor panel byadhesive.

A sixth embodiment can include the play structure of the fifthembodiment, wherein the first section of the bracket comprises one ormore cut-outs configured to allow the adhesive to flow through the firstsection of the bracket.

A seventh embodiment can include the play structure of any of the firstthrough sixth embodiments, wherein the second section of the bracket isheld in place within the pre-drilled hole of the side wall panel by acompressible lip.

An eighth embodiment can include the play structure of any of the firstthrough seventh embodiments, wherein the second section of the bracketis held in place within the pre-drilled hole of the side wall panel byfriction ridges.

A ninth embodiment can include the play structure of any of the firstthrough eighth embodiments, wherein the diameter of the second sectionis greater than the diameter of the first section, creating a seat forthe second section to be pressed against the floor panel whileprotruding from the floor panel.

A tenth embodiment can include the play structure of any of the firstthrough ninth embodiments, wherein the diameter of the first section isless than the thickness of the floor panel.

In an eleventh embodiment, a method of assembling a play structure maycomprise pre-drilling at least one hole in a side surface of a floorpanel; pre-drilling at least one corresponding hole through thethickness of a side panel; attaching a first section of a bracket to thepre-drilled hole of the floor panel; positioning the side panelperpendicular to the floor panel; and attaching a second section of thebracket to the pre-drilled hole of the side panel, thereby at leasttemporarily securing the side panel to the floor panel.

A twelfth embodiment can include the method of the eleventh embodiment,further comprising permanently attaching the side panel to the floorpanel via a screw.

A thirteenth embodiment can include the method of the twelfthembodiment, wherein the screw passes through at least a portion of thebracket.

A fourteenth embodiment can include the method of the twelfth orthirteenth embodiments, wherein the screw passes through a secondpre-drilled hole in the floor panel and a second pre-drilled hole in theside panel.

A fifteenth embodiment can include the method of any of the elevenththrough fourteenth embodiments, wherein attaching a first section of abracket to the pre-drilled hole of the floor panel comprises attachingvia adhesive.

In a sixteenth embodiment, a play structure may comprise at least onefloor panel comprising at least one cut-out into a surface of the floorpanel; at least one back-wall panel configured to attach to the at leastone floor panel; and at least one back-wall bracket configured to atleast temporarily attach the floor panel to the back-wall panel, whereinthe at least one back-wall bracket comprises: at least one connectorconfigured to be inserted into the at least one cut-out of the floorpanel; a front portion that is rounded to allow the back-wall panel tobe pushed over the front portion; and a back portion that is spaced fromthe front portion to create a seat for the back-wall panel to be heldbetween the front portion and the back portion.

A seventeenth embodiment can include the play structure of the sixteenthembodiment, wherein the back portion of the back-wall bracket comprisesa lip configured to fit within a slot of a side rail of the floor panel.

An eighteenth embodiment can include the play structure of the sixteenthor seventeenth embodiments, wherein the at least one connector of theback-wall bracket comprises a groove configured to fit around thecut-out into the surface of the floor panel.

A nineteenth embodiment can include the play structure of any of thesixteenth through eighteenth embodiments, wherein the back portion ofthe back-wall bracket comprises a retaining wall configured to extendvertically from the floor panel.

A twentieth embodiment can include the play structure of any of thesixteenth through nineteenth embodiments, wherein the at least oneconnector allows the at least one back-wall bracket to be connected toanother back-wall bracket through the cut-out of the floor panel.

In a twenty-first embodiment, a method of assembling a play structuremay comprise forming at least one cut-out into a surface of a floorpanel; attaching at least one connector of at least one back-wallbracket into the at least one cut-out of the floor panel; positioning aback-wall panel perpendicular to the floor panel; pressing the back-wallpanel against the back-wall bracket; flexing the back-wall panel over afront portion of the back-wall bracket that is rounded; and retainingthe back-wall panel relative to the floor panel between the frontportion of the back-wall bracket and a back portion of the back-wallbracket that is spaced from the front portion to create a seat for theback-wall panel to be held between the front portion and the backportion.

A twenty-second embodiment can include the method of the twenty-firstembodiment, wherein forming at least one cut-out into a surface of afloor panel comprises forming a semicircular cut-out into a back surfaceof the floor panel.

A twenty-third embodiment can include the method of the twenty-secondembodiment, wherein attaching at least one connector of at least oneback-wall bracket into the at least one cut-out of the floor panelcomprises fitting a groove of the back-wall bracket over thesemicircular cut-out; and retaining the back-wall bracket between thesemicircular cut-out and a side rail of the floor panel.

A twenty-fourth embodiment can include the method of any of thetwenty-first through twenty-third embodiment, wherein forming at leastone cut-out into a surface of a floor panel comprises forming at leastone hole through the thickness of the floor panel.

A twenty-fifth embodiment can include the method of the twenty-fourthembodiment, wherein attaching at least one connector of at least oneback-wall bracket into the at least one cut-out of the floor panelcomprises inserting at least one connector of the back wall into the atleast one hole through the thickness of the floor panel.

A twenty-sixth embodiment can include the method of the twenty-fourth ortwenty-fifth embodiment, wherein attaching at least one connector of atleast one back-wall bracket into the at least one cut-out of the floorpanel comprises attaching the at least one connector of a firstback-wall bracket positioned on one side of the floor panel to the atleast one connector of a second back-wall bracket position on theopposite side of the floor panel, wherein the connectors attach throughthe at least one hole through the floor panel.

In a twenty-seventh embodiment, a play structure comprising a floorpanel assembly comprising a side rail and a floor panel, the side railhaving a hole within the side rail, a side panel configured to attach tothe floor panel assembly and comprising a hole through a thickness ofthe side panel, and a bracket configured to attach the floor panel tothe side panel, wherein the bracket comprises a first portion configuredto be inserted into and held in place within the hole of the floor paneland a second portion attached to the first portion configured toprotrude from the floor panel when the bracket is disposed within thehole of the floor panel and to engage the hole of the side panel.

A twenty-eighth embodiment can include the play structure of thetwenty-seventh embodiment, wherein the bracket further comprises acavity configured to receive a screw to pass there-through the bracketso as to permanently attach the side panel to the floor panel.

A twenty-ninth embodiment can include the play structure of one of thetwenty-seventh through twenty-eighth embodiments, wherein the firstportion of the bracket is configured to be held in place within the holeof the floor panel by friction ridges.

A thirtieth embodiment can include the play structure of one of thetwenty-seventh or twenty-ninth embodiments, wherein the first portion ofthe bracket is held in place within the hole of the floor panel byadhesive.

A thirty-first embodiment can include the play structure of one of thetwenty-seventh through thirtieth embodiments, wherein the first portionof the bracket comprises one or more cut-outs configured to allow theadhesive to flow through the first portion of the bracket.

A thirty-second embodiment can include the play structure of one of thetwenty-seventh through thirty-first embodiments, wherein the secondportion of the bracket comprises a compressible lip configured to engagethe hole of the side panel.

A thirty-third embodiment can include the play structure of one of thetwenty-seventh through thirty-second embodiments, wherein the secondportion of the bracket comprises friction ridges configured to engagethe hole of the side panel.

A thirty-fourth embodiment can include the play structure of one of thetwenty-seventh through thirty-third embodiments, wherein a diameter ofthe second portion is greater than a diameter of the first portion, andwherein the bracket comprises a seat at which the first portion meetsthe second portion.

A thirty-fifth embodiment can include the play structure of one of thetwenty-seventh through thirty-fourth embodiments, wherein a diameter ofthe first portion is less than the thickness of the floor panel.

In a thirty-sixth embodiment, a method of providing a play structure forlater assembly by a consumer, the method comprising providing a floorpanel assembly comprising a side rail and a floor panel, the side railhaving a hole within the side rail, providing a side panel configured toattach to the floor panel assembly and comprising a hole through athickness of the side panel, and providing a bracket configured toattach the floor panel to the side panel, wherein the bracket isconfigured to be disposed within and attached to, via a first portion ofthe bracket, to the hole of the floor panel, and wherein the bracket isconfigured to be disposed within the hole of the floor panel and so asto engage the hole of the side panel, via a second portion of thebracket.

In s thirty-seventh embodiment, a play structure comprising a floorpanel assembly comprising a floor panel comprising a cut-out within asurface of the floor panel, a back panel, and a back-wall bracketconfigured to attach the floor panel to the back panel, wherein the backbracket configured to be inserted into the cut-out of the floor paneland comprising a front portion that is rounded to allow the back panelto be pushed over the front portion and a back portion that comprises aseat configured to receive the back panel.

A thirty-eighth embodiment can include the play structure of thethirty-seventh embodiment, wherein the back portion of the back-wallbracket comprises a lip configured to fit within a slot of a side railof the floor panel assembly.

A thirty-ninth embodiment can include the play structure of one of thethirty-seventh or thirty-eighth embodiments, wherein the back-wallbracket comprises a groove configured to receive the floor panel.

In a fortieth embodiment, a play structure comprising a floor panelassembly comprising a floor panel comprising a cut-out within a surfaceof the floor panel, a back panel, and a back-wall bracket configured toattach the floor panel to the back panel, wherein the back-wall bracketcomprises a connector configured to be received within the cut-out ofthe floor panel a first portion comprising a retaining wall and a secondportion spaced apart from the first portion and configured to allow theback-wall panel to be pushed there-over a seat configured to receive theback-wall panel so as to hold the back-wall panel between the firstportion and the second portion.

A forty-first embodiment can include the play structure of the fortiethembodiment, wherein the retaining wall extends vertically from the floorpanel.

A forty-second embodiment can include the play structure of one of thefortieth through forty-first embodiments, wherein the connector isconfigured to be connected to another back-wall bracket through thecut-out of the floor panel.

While this invention has been described with reference to illustrativeembodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in alimiting sense. A few preferred embodiments have been described indetail herein. It is to be understood that the scope of the inventionalso comprehends embodiments different from those described, yet withinthe scope of the claims. Various other modifications and combinations ofthe illustrative embodiments, as well as other embodiments of theinvention, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon referenceto the description. It is therefore intended that subsequent claimsencompass such modifications or embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A play structure comprising: a floor panelassembly comprising a side rail and a floor panel, the side rail havinga hole within the side rail; a side panel configured to attach to thefloor panel assembly and comprising a hole through a thickness of theside panel; and a bracket configured to attach the floor panel to theside panel, wherein the bracket comprises: a first portion configured tobe inserted into and held in place within the hole of the floor panel;and a second portion attached to the first portion configured toprotrude from the floor panel when the bracket is disposed within thehole of the floor panel and to engage the hole of the side panel.
 2. Theplay structure of claim 1, wherein the bracket further comprises acavity configured to receive a screw to pass there-through the bracketso as to permanently attach the side panel to the floor panel.
 3. Theplay structure of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the bracket isconfigured to be held in place within the hole of the floor panel byfriction ridges.
 4. The play structure of claim 1, wherein the firstportion of the bracket is held in place within the hole of the floorpanel by adhesive.
 5. The play structure of claim 5, wherein the firstportion of the bracket comprises one or more cut-outs configured toallow the adhesive to flow through the first portion of the bracket. 6.The play structure of claim 1, wherein the second portion of the bracketcomprises a compressible lip configured to engage the hole of the sidepanel.
 7. The play structure of claim 1, wherein the second portion ofthe bracket comprises friction ridges configured to engage the hole ofthe side panel.
 8. The play structure of claim 1, wherein a diameter ofthe second portion is greater than a diameter of the first portion, andwherein the bracket comprises a seat at which the first portion meetsthe second portion.
 9. The play structure of claim 1, wherein a diameterof the first portion is less than the thickness of the floor panel. 10.A play structure comprising: a floor panel assembly comprising a floorpanel comprising a cut-out within a surface of the floor panel; a backpanel; and a back-wall bracket configured to attach the floor panel tothe back panel, wherein the back-wall bracket comprises: a front portionthat is rounded to allow the back panel to be pushed over the frontportion; and a back portion that comprises a seat configured to receivethe back panel.
 11. The play structure of claim 10, wherein the backportion of the back-wall bracket further comprises a lip configured tofit within a slot of a side rail of the floor panel assembly.
 12. Theplay structure of claim 10, wherein the back-wall bracket comprises agroove configured to receive the floor panel.
 13. The play structure ofclaim 10, wherein the back-wall bracket further comprises a connectorconfigured to be received within the cut-out of the floor panel.
 14. Theplay structure of claim 10, wherein the seat is further configured tohold the back-wall panel between the front portion and the back portion.15. The play structure of claim 10, wherein the front portion comprisesa retaining wall.
 16. The play structure of claim 15, wherein theretaining wall extends vertically from the floor panel.
 17. The playstructure of claim 13, wherein the connector is configured to beconnected to another back-wall bracket through the cut-out of the floorpanel.
 18. A method of providing a play structure for later assembly bya consumer, the method comprising: providing a floor panel assemblycomprising a side rail and a floor panel, the side rail having a holewithin the side rail; providing a side panel configured to attach to thefloor panel assembly and comprising a hole through a thickness of theside panel; and providing a bracket configured to attach the floor panelto the side panel.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the bracket isconfigured to be disposed within and attached to, via a first portion ofthe bracket, to the hole of the floor panel.
 20. The method of claim 18,wherein the bracket is configured to be disposed within the hole of thefloor panel and so as to engage the hole of the side panel, via a secondportion of the bracket.